Supervisors approve new operator for Coit Tower

To the surprise of absolutely no one, a San Francisco restaurant and hotel owner will take over as the operator of Coit Tower when the city landmark reopens in April.

Terry Grimm, who owns the anchor Oyster Bar in the Castro, received unanimous approval of the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, giving him a five-year contract to manage the concessions and other operations at Coit Tower, as well as safeguard the iconic Depression-era murals on the walls inside the tower.

The decision followed last month’s recommendation by the Recreation and Park Commission that Coit Tower LLC, run by Grimm, get the contract.

“Coit Tower is an international landmark and one of the city’s top destinations, with incredible views of the city,” Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, said in a statement. “This new contract will ensure an ongoing maintenance fund for the preservation and protection of the murals at Coit Tower.”

In his proposal for the new contract, Grimm promised to upgrade both the services and the concessions, providing docents for tours of the 1933 tower and adding a more professional air to the operation.

While the new agreement bans any private, after-hours events at Coit Tower, it also calls for the new contract to provide more revenue to the city. Increased attendance, rather than any boost in the current $7 elevator fare, is anticipated to bring in the additional money.

The board’s quick OK means that Grimm has about two months to remodel the concession area before the tower reopens after a $1.7 million renovation effort.